Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou has briefed EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus issue as direct negotiations, which began between the leaders of the two Cypriot communities aiming at a solution, continue.
“During our meeting I informed the Commissioner about the commencement of direct negotiations, I explained to him the difficulties which exist, as well as the procedure which is being followed” Kyprianou told journalists after his meeting with Rehn Monday.
The Foreign Minister added that Rehn expressed once again the European Commission’s support towards the process and its willingness to contribute to the process with technical support.
Kyprianou added that the EU Commissioner noted that the solution of the Cyprus problem should include the fundamental EU principles and the acquis communautaire.
The Cypriot Foreign Minister, who attended in Brussels the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council described the conclusions of the Council regarding Georgia are balanced and added that Cyprus attaches great importance to the implementation of the six-point agreement and the agreement of September 8th between the French EU presidency and Russia.
The Council also discussed Serbia’s relations with the EU. Kyprianou said that the government of Cyprus considers that Belgrade has the necessary political will to cooperate closely with the International Tribunal and therefore the EU could proceed with the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
Meanwhile, in statements after a regular political meeting between the EU and Turkey, Rehn urged Ankara to update its constitution to reflect the country and the society at large as it has evolved and to consolidate the rights and freedoms for its citizens.
''These reforms are necessary not only for Turkey's EU prospects but essentially for Turkey to break the cycle of its – I dare say – annual political crises,'' he said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Ankara was pressing ahead with an ambitious reform programme to achieve its goal of full EU membership, but EU support was also necessary to complete the process.
French Secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet, who chaired the talks, said France expected to open more chapters – or policy areas – for negotiation during its six months in the EU chair, which run until the end of December.
Rehn said the chapters on free movement of capital and on information society and media policy were ripe for opening soon.
